I’d like to thank everyone that participated in and viewed my most recent virtual town hall, held on July 25th. If you missed the town hall, you can view it below. Time constraints kept me from answering every single question that was submitted so my staff has provided answers to every question that was asked; those can be found below the video of the town hall.

Additional QuestionsWhen it comes to PCS orders, why are some soldiers held in limbo for so long, especially if their loss date has passed? Not only is it not fair for the soldiers, it's not fair for their families. Some families have children that have special needs and need to make proper arraignments for them. Some spouses have careers and also need reassurance they'll be able to find work in a timely manner. - Amber Heald The loss date in HSS (Headquarters Support System) is a tool that the G1 uses to determine PCS eligibility. The date is set for three years after a Soldier arrives at their current location. Official assignment instructions occur after an assignment has been placed in HSS and approved at the BN or BDE level and then here at the HQs. Once this occurs the assignment is sent to HRC to be loaded into EDAS (enlisted distribution and assignment system), which will start reassignment/orders process.Robert D. Niehaus known as RDN,is employed to collect the nation-wide housing cost data that are used to compute BAH, which it includes costs data to calculate average housing costs by size and type. How can RDN accurately determine if one location has more expensive rental markets than another when it’s more based off a data exercise, especially when it comes to USAREC locations? A lot of USAREC families financially struggle because of this and with SDAP decreasing it can put families in a financial bind. –Amber HealdBAH enables SM to live off base comparably to their civilian counterparts. It is not designed to cover all housing costs for all members. Some members may have out-of-pocket expenses, since rates are based on the median cost of rent. A member's actual expense may be higher or lower based on a member's actual choice of housing and where they live. Because members are free to make housing choices that best suit their needs, a member may choose to use all their housing allowance to rent for a more expensive housing close to the duty station, or have a longer commute for either a larger or less expensive housing in an outlying area

Will there be a change to the tattoo policy? - CJ EsquilinThe only change at this time is the authorization for submission of ETPs (exception to policy) for applicants who were processing prior to 30 April. Sir, when can AGR soldiers expect to see the playing field leveled with our RA counterparts? We are expected to hit the same milestones for career progression however, those leadership positions are extremely limited. It's seems a newly converted regular Army 79R has priority over experienced 79R - Dwayne Hutchinson USAREC is currently working towards a component neutral manning process. This process will allow Commanders to fill leadership position with the best leader without regard to component. Under this process G1 will provide units with RA/AGR Soldiers to meet documented requirements without regard to leadership positions. Commanders will then inform G1 which Soldiers will fill leadership positions..What can family members of recruiters do to help boost family morale? Or FRG outreach? -Brendon N Charity Delrosario To boost Family morale, Family members should strive to be an active participant in Center, Company, and Battalion activities when possible and accentuate the positive on what is good in USAREC. Units can assist this process by establishing a effective sponsorship program that contacts Family members early to ensure they know there are others out there able to assist. Becoming familiar with the Family Strong Resource Guide so you can assist others if/when necessary and using Google+Hangout for virtual meetings between Recruiting Centers to discuss events and issues are also effective tools.Why is there no time for soldiers to go to church when they are in AIT? -Mary Fries Hanlon Per AR 165-1, 3 Dec 2009; Soldiers are entitled to equitable support for religious and spiritual activities, to include the opportunity, time and facilities for the free exercise of religion in accordance with law, regulations and mission requirements. Commanders will "accommodate special religious practices of personnel in their commands, consistent with DODD 1300.17 and AR 600-20." The Free Exercise clause guarantees Soldiers the right to practice what their religion requires and conscience dictates. And yet, mission requirements will always afford for free exercise of religion at a specific time or day. Please contact your unit chaplain in regard to special religious practices.Do ear gauges have to be completely closed without seeing through? - Annemarie Barbaritano-Spina

Yes. Per AR 670-1, 31 Mar 14; "Soldiers are prohibited from willful mutilation of the body or any body parts in any manner. Examples include, but are not limited to, tongue bifurcation (splitting of the tongue) or ear gauging (enlarged holes in the lobe of the ear, which are grater than 1.6mm)." 1.6mm is a little larger than the post of a normal earring. When a 1.6mm ear gauge is removed you should not see through the hole.Why are we not more embedded in the senior ROTC programs to increase our USAR production considering the national guard uses this to make their officer accession mission. We miss the mark on this side of the house. - Dwayne HutchinsonThis initiative is currently working within the context of the ongoing USAREC/USAR working group. The intent is to bring Cadet Command into the discussion so that we can potentially rebuild a program similar to the old "on-campus" recruiter working directly with the respective PMS's and the responsible USAREC Center Commander. The program has potential to both assist in attracting SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program) students to respective ROTC programs and TPUs (Troop Program Unit) but also offer yet another opportunity for service to those ROTC students who cannot remain in school. How do you file a complaint against the civilian workers at MEPS? - Scott N. Patricia Byrd Assuming the complainant is by a Military member; they would file a complaint with their BDE or USAREC equal opportunity advisor IAW procedures outlined in AR 600-20 (if issue is EO). If the complainant is by a civilian (non-DOD family member or Non-DOD employee), they would forward all issues through MEPCOM or the Battalion chain of command. EEO Response: If the civilian employees at the MEPS are Army employees, the individual wishing to file a complaint should call the nearest US Army EEO office or call the USAREC EEO office (502) 626-0067 for assistance. If the MEPS civilian employees are not Army employees (e.g., USAF civilian personnel), the individual should call USMEPCOM's EEO office (847) 688-3680, ext. 7538, for guidance.

Will there ever be uniformity {of information} about rescheduled or cancelled ATC dates? - Christina and Chris CopleyUSAREC does not reschedule or cancel dates of ATCs. Battalion commanders makes those changes. USAREC HQ only sets the window on when and what time the events will be executed. Any changes for the UF 1137 ( USAREC Future Soldier Pre-execution checklist)? It can take up to 30 min to digitally sign everything. - Josh MarionThere are two versions of the UF 1137, Future Soldier pre-execution checklist. The official form is a fillable PDF that does take some time to digitally sign. We are currently in the process of automating this form into a Recruiter Zone (RZ) form that is pre-populated based on the Future Soldier's class completion in the Future Soldier Training System (FSTS) and the information added to the Soldier's Recruiter Zone record. Once the digital signature is developed in RZ, the automated form will take the place of the PDF, saving time and increasing efficiency.